-92- Just want to repay your kindness

"Thump... Thump..."

In the quiet forest, the heavy footsteps echoed relentlessly.

The black giant covered in rocks walked slowly on the forest path, leaving one footprint after another, startling numerous low-level shikigami such as stray dogs, monkeys, and rabbits. It moved like the king of the forest, exuding an overwhelming dominance.

As a shikigami possessed by the mountain god, it naturally carried the presence of a king in this forbidden area.

Perhaps, even the members of the Izanagi clan who created this forbidden area didn't anticipate the birth of such a high-level shikigami one day.

But precisely because of this, this mountain god was a valuable target to exploit.

Not far away, Rozen watched the mountain god moving forward with its heavy steps and nodded. Then, he turned to Domon Hinowa beside him and asked, "How is it? Is there any problem?"

Rozen's inquiry was met with Domon Hinowa's nervous and hesitant response, "It... it should be... fine...."

Domon Hinowa crouched next to Rozen, exuding the desire to flee from the scene.

This nervousness stemmed not only from facing the formidable shikigami but also from the fact that there was no one else around and that they were alone together.

It was clear that Princess Hinowa from the Izanagi family would never have experience being alone with a stranger.

Now, being alone with Rozen, Domon Hinowa naturally felt anxious.

If the circumstances allowed, Domon Hinowa would have probably tried to find a place to hide.

Not just Domon Hinowa, but Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura also initially objected to Rozen and Domon Hinowa teaming up, primarily due to their concern about them being alone together.

However, in the end, Domon Hinowa agreed to this mission.

The reason was simple, "I can't expect everyone to protect me forever."

Domon Hinowa decided to take action.

Undoubtedly, the ongoing marriage proposal must have been difficult for Domon Hinowa to handle silently from the sidelines.

"But is this okay?" Rozen asked casually, "You should know that there's no benefit for you in this."

Domon Hinowa chose to come here to persuade Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura to go back and didn't want to take any further action.

The marriage was beyond Domon Hinowa's control, but she was has no intention to push it forward either.

"If no one finds the token, the trial will end in everyone's failure, and you might not have to marry into the Akabane family," Rozen said to Domon Hinowa, "Are you still willing to help us?"

Rozen was genuinely puzzled by this.

When he initially asked Domon Hinowa for help, he didn't have high expectations. However, to his surprise, Domon Hinowa agreed in the end.

"Shouldn't you reconsider?" Rozen asked tentatively.

This time, Domon Hinowa didn't hesitate to reply, "No need. After all, you saved me once."

Rozen finally understood the reason why Domon Hinowa agreed to help.

The reason was the same as before, very simple:

"I just want to repay your kindness."

With her head lowered, Domon Hinowa spoke like a child who had done something wrong, feeling embarrassed about making such a statement.

At this moment, Rozen had to admit that he was starting to feel something for Domon Hinowa.

"She's really as adorable as Mash."

In terms of innocence and kindness, Domon Hinowa could easily compare to Mash.

From this perspective, she deserved to be called Princess.

So, Rozen no longer hesitated and instructed, "Then, be prepared to take action."

"U-understood."

Domon Hinowa's voice was full of tension once again. She took out a bell from her pocket.

It was a bell used for prayers.

As the oldest and most prestigious family of Onmyojis, the Izanagi clan not only excelled in Onmyojutsu but also had comprehensive knowledge of shikigami.

Within the clan, there were still some secret techniques related to gods and spirits, such as divination, prayers, and summoning. These practices were visible within the Izanagi clan.

As a member of the Izanagi clan and the direct heir to the clan, Domon Hinowa naturally couldn't be unaware of these practices.

In a metaphorical sense, Domon Hinowa was like a shrine maiden who could fully convey the intentions of gods and even convey her own will to them.

Among the millions of gods in this far eastern island nation, mountain gods might not be of the highest rank, but they were still gods.

Now, Rozen wanted Domon Hinowa to pray to the mountain god before them and convey their intentions to it.

Of course, there was no expectation that the prayer would make the mountain god obediently follow their will.

Rozen didn't expect Domon Hinowa to say a few words to the mountain god, and it would obediently comply with their wishes.

Given this, Rozen only intended to use this mountain god.

What was the plan?

It was straightforward.

"Provoke it."

With Rozen's command, Domon Hinowa took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began chanting softly.

"Ding-ling..."

The bell in Domon Hinowa's hand rang.

"------!"

Ahead, the mountain god suddenly stopped its steps.

"Ding-ling... Ding-ling..."

The rhythmic sound of the bell echoed.

"------!------!"

The mountain god's body began to tremble slightly.

After a while...

"It's coming!"

//// God I hate my mind ತ⁠_⁠ʖ⁠ತ ////

Rozen's expression became serious.

In that instant, the mountain god turned around sharply and looked in their direction.

"Roar------!"

Terrifying roars resonated from the mountain god.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The mountain god completely entered a state of anger and charged towards them like a ferocious beast.

"Boom!"

The decaying deadwood was kicked away by the mountain god's heavy footsteps.

"Boom!"

The nearby trees were shattered by the colossal body of the mountain god.

With such a terrifying aura, the mountain god rushed towards them.

"Quick, run!"

Rozen immediately enhanced his physical abilities using the "Rigid Body" technique and grabbed Domon Hinowa's hand, without saying a word, he began to flee.

"Roar------!"

Amidst the roars, the mountain god advanced with heavy steps, constantly catching up.

Throughout the way, all trees and obstacles couldn't stop its steps, turning into debris scattered around.

Watching this scene, Rozen had only one thought in his mind.

"Just as I thought, this mountain god isn't very fast."

With such a heavy physique, the mountain god's strength must be tremendous, but its agility must be greatly reduced.

It was precisely because of this that Rozen had the idea to use it.

Otherwise, if they were caught up, there would be no escape.

For this reason, Rozen didn't choose the plan to lure Enenra away from the shrine.

"Enenra without a physical form surely wouldn't be slow, and the possibility of being caught up is almost 100%."

Coupled with the fact that Enenra was a shikigami set up by the Izanagi family, it was unlikely to leave the shrine's vicinity. That's why Rozen decided to rely on the mountain god.

The objective was naturally...

"I'll find you a good opponent."

While observing the violent chase behind using "Heaven's Eye," Rozen continued pulling Domon Hinowa, and headed towards their destination, the shrine.